Floodwaters still rising in Manitou Beach

Rising floodwaters around Manitou Beach, Sask., are seen here in June 2015.

A sinking feeling is settling in over Manitou Beach.

The central Saskatchewan resort village has been slowly going underwater over the last few years as floodwaters continue to rise, and this year's record-high water levels are again proving to be a challenge.

“We know it’s not going to go down any time soon because it’s a terminal lake — everything comes in,” said Eric Upshall, the village’s mayor.

“However, we do have a unique lake here and we’re bound and determined to protect it.”

The village and the province started installing a berm in 2011, but the 5-kilometre barrier is now almost underwater. The village declared a state of emergency last month and has since put up over 5,000 sand-filled Hesco barriers along the lake.

The flooding has cost the village and the province millions of dollars and has drastically changed the scenery around the popular resort. The beach is flooded and water surrounds the village’s playground and gazebo.

The Saskatchewan Water Security Agency said the lake is a closed-basin lake with nowhere for water to go.

“Essentially we’re not losing enough evaporation, or haven’t been over the last number of years, and then getting too much precipitation,” said Patrick Boyle, with the Water Security Agency.

The village and province are still working to create a permanent berm solution, but with the village’s busy season coming up, residents are staying positive.

“The water is high, but our spirits are higher,” said Upshall.

Manitou Beach is located about 120 kilometres southeast of Saskatoon.